Greater challenges await the Cubs in the coming weeks, but a long-needed offensive outburst and a stellar pitching performance by Jose Quintana have restored their confidence.

"We're back," catcher Willson Contreras said Sunday after the Cubs completed a three-game sweep of the Orioles with an 8-0 victory at Oriole Park. "We're back to where we were last year. We battled every pitch, no matter what the score was. It feels good when you start hitting like that, and I hope we can be like this for a lot of games."

It was the Cubs' most impressive three-game series of the season as they scored 27 runs and received exceptional performances from Quintana and Jake Arrieta. Quintana showed no signs of nervousness as he pitched seven innings of three-hit ball while tying a franchise record with 12 strikeouts in his Cubs debut.

The Cubs moved above .500 for the first time since June 29 while cutting the Brewers' lead to 4 1/2 games in the National League Central.

After the victory, Quintana's new teammates showered him with cold water.

"It was fun," said Quintana, who was dealt Thursday by the White Sox for four prospects. "It was really special. I'm freezing but happy. That's all important for me.

"Coming here and help this team is amazing, and I'm really happy to be here. These guys have a lot of talent, so it's really good when you see that, and (it's) a reason they won a World Series."

Photos from the Cubs-Orioles game on July 16, 2017, in Baltimore.

From manager Joe Maddon to Contreras to third baseman Kris Bryant, the Cubs said the four-day All-Star break provided an opportunity to recharge their batteries as they pounced early on Orioles pitchers and smacked 10 home runs in the series.

They also were 13-for-27 with runners in scoring position after batting only .230 in that situation in the first half.

"The most impressive part is the energy," Maddon said. "I really believe if we play with that kind of internal fire, with that energy, we're going to win a lot of games in the second half."

Maddon said he admired how Quintana stayed in his routine of taking a deep breath before each pitch, keeping his focus and not wasting pitches after he was staked to a 4-0 lead in the second.

"It can really be a big boon to us," Maddon said. "All the other starters saw it. We grabbed a lead. And he pitched very well with a lead. There was no messing around — no walks, no bad counts, (made them) put the ball in play, burying the curve, elevating with the fastball."

Quintana struck out slugger Mark Trumbo three times and allowed only one runner to advance past first base. He struck out at least 10 for the 10th time in his career.

Quintana and Contreras worked so well together despite their lack of familiarity that Contreras thanked the pitcher afterward.

"It's not easy to come from another team and trust another catcher," Contreras said.